Shelving structure



Filed Feb. 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 12, 1932. w Q E 1,867,543 v SHELVING STRUCTURE Filed Feb.-2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

y 1932- w. 'r. HORMES 1,867,543

SHELVING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 2, 1929 4 Sheets-$heet s Patented July 12 1932 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM '1'. HORMES, OF CATONSVILLE, MARYLAND SHELVING STRUCTURE Application filed February 2, 1929. Serial No. 836,981.

This invention is a shelving structure primarily intended for use in stores and mercantile establishments generally, but not limited to such use.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive form of shelving which may be readily erected or taken down at will, with an expenditure of a minimum of time and labor. A further object is to provide a shelving structure equipped with top and bottom sections, and interchangeable end sections for supporting the same, all capable of being economically produced. A further object'is to provide simple means for supporting the shelves or other storage units, and means by which the space between superposed shelves may be varied to suit diiierent conditions. A fuither object is to provide a plurality of stacks of shelving of the character mentioned and effective means for conveniently connecting the end frames of adjoining stacks. A further objectis to provide a knockdown shelvingstructure which may be easily erected or dismantled, and which will possess a maximum of rigidity and stability while in service.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure '1 is a front elevation illustrating I two adjoining stacks of shelving constructed 5 fll is a detail perspective view illustrating one in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a View partly in section, illustrating one of the stacks. Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on a line immediately above the base member. Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an assemblage of the shelfsupporting elements. Figure 5 is.a similar view illustrating a slight modification. Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating another modification. Figure 7 is a detail perspective view illustrating the shelf-sustaining element of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a detail sectional view of the joint between an end frame and a top section. Figure 9 is a similar view illustrating the corresponding joint with the base member. Figure 10 is a detail perspective view illustrating the pilaster. Figure of the devices for connecting end frames of of adjoining stacks. Figure 12 is a detail sectional view illustrating the means for retaining the pilaster in place.

Referring to the drawings, U designates a knock-down unit container section consistin of a base member 10, a top member 11,'an two end frames F. Each base and top memher is constructed in a manner similar to the base and top members, respectively, commonly employed in standard type sectional unit structures. i. e. each of said sections comprises front and back walls a, joined by side walls 6. and a top or shelf portion a. The top a of the base member serves as a shelfand the corresponding portion of the top member serves as the top of the stack. Secured to both of the side members 7) of the base member 10 are cleats 12, which are provided with longitudinal grooves or channels 18, and similar cleats 14 are secured to both sides of the top member 11, except that the grooves or channels 15 are in the underside thereof. Engaging the grooves or channels 13 and 15 of the respective cleats 12 and 14: are tenon-like projections 16, positioned at the respective top and bottom corners of the rectangular end frames F, each of which is of skeleton formation, i. e. constructed of longitudinally disposed stiles 17 connected by cross-pieces 18.

The stiles 17 are each provided with a longitudinal groove 21, to receive complemental longitudinal ribs 22, of the upright spacers 23 forming part of the shelf-supporting devices. Each upright 23 is placed in a vertical position with its lower end resting upon a cross piece 18, and its rib 22 in engagement with a groove 21, so as to be held against displacement in a position to support a shelfsustaining element which may be of an desired construction. For instance, the s elfsustaining element of Figures 4 and 5 consists of a cross piece 24, supported upon the upper ends of the spacers 23, so that the ends of the shelf S may rest thereupon. The cross bar may be provided with a rib 25 to en gage with a complemental groove 26 formed in the underside of the shelf, as shown in Figure 5, or the tongue and groove structure may be omitted and the shelfanchored to the cross bar 24 by means of a screw or other similar fastening, as shown in Figure 4. In either event, the cross bar 24 is provided with.

tenons 28 complemental to the grooves 21,

so that lateral displacement thereof is prevented.

In the event that two or more stacks are to be arranged in a line, the frames F of adjoining stacks are connected by means of removable upright frame-locking members 29, each of which is provided with two ribs 30 positioned to engage both grooves 21 of the respective abutted stiles 1"( of the adjacent end frames of adjoining stacks. It is to be understood that while the cross pieces 24 are employed, the locking members 29 are to be substituted for the spacer members 23.

In lieu of the spacer members 23 and the cross pieces 24, the frame-locking members may be arranged as indicated at 30', Figure 6, and the shelves supported by metal shelfsustaining elements such as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 Referring to said figures, it will be observed that the shelf sustaining element consists, of a metal'bar or strip X, provided with offset shelf sustaining flanges X and slots X in their lower edges for the reception of suitably supported anchoring screws m which for purposes of illustration are shown as mounted in the sides of the frame-locking member 30. It is obvious, however, that the strips :2: may be secured to the single width spacers 23 in precisely the same manner so as to function in identically the same way. In either event the members an, .while in position, aid the ribs of the upright members in preventing relative lateral movement of said members. The shelves are provided near their ends with transverse grooves X", to receive the upper edges the strips X, so as to lock the shelves against longitudinal movement.

In order to accommodate the pilasters P, the sides of the front vertical-portions or stiles of each frame F are cut away slightly to provide longitudinal recesses, as indicated at 31. One frame F of each stack is also provided with studs 32 projecting laterally from the front stile and located in the cut away area 31, so as to be conveniently engaged by hooks 33 on the pilaster. By means of this arrangement the pilaster is engaged with and supported by one stack only, and it is not necessary to connect it with both stacks as is now the common practice.

In practice,the shelf supporting elements 23, 24 and 29 may be made up in quantities and conveniently stored until needed, the up-. rights 23 and 24 being made in different lengths so as to provide various spacing of the superposed shelves, as may be desired. The shelves. the top and bottom sections, and the frames F may also be made up in accordance with standard measurements, and each stored in a knock-down condition until required. When itis desired to erect one or more stacks of shelving, the requisite number of bottom and top sections 10 and 11, respectively, frames F, and shelf supporting elements are selected. In erecting a stack, a bottom section 10 is first placed in position, and the two upright frames F of the stack are engaged with the cleats 13 of said bottom section, after which the top sections 11 are engaged with the frames F, thus completing the skeleton structure. A set of shelf spacers 23 or 29, as the case may be, of the desired length are then engaged with the grooves 21 of the frames, their lower ends resting upon the lower cross pieces 18, after which the desired form of shelf supports are placed in position upon the upper ends of said uprights, with their tenons in engagement with the grooves 21. The shelf S may then be placed in position on the supports, the ends of said shelf being reduced in width so as to pass between the stiles of the frames F, the shelf being anchored to the members 24 by either of the methods already described. Thus longitudinal movement of the shelf is prevented and the entire structure is greatly stifl'ened. After a shelf has been positioned a new set of shelf supporting members may be placed in position upon the said shelf and a second shelf superposed thereon. It is obvious that this operation may be re eated until the desired number of shelves ave been placed in the stack. If the shelf support X is used in lieu of the members 24, the part 29 should be the full height of the space between shelves instead of the short spacers 23 and cross pieces 241 When two or more stacks of shelving are to be arranged in alignment, the frames F are connected by means of uprights 29, the ribs of which enter the grooves 21 of contiguous frames, so that the two stacks are held against relative longitudinal movement. The pilaster P may be placed in position over the space between two stacks, or removed at will without disturbing either stack, or without disturbing the relation of the stacks with respect to each other. All that is necessary in placing the pilaster is that it shall beheld in a vertical position at a high enough elevation to permit the hooks 33 to pass over their complemental studs, and then push the pilaster downwardly so as to completely engage the hooks. The pilaster is disengaged by a reverse movement.

In connection with the manufacture of store shelving and similar structures it is exceedin ly desirable that the various compomemes or elements of each kindtogether for the con venient filling of requisitions for the elements of any particular job. Therefore, a knock-down unit container adapted either for display and storage units or shelving which facilitates the convenient handling also conserves storage space, and aids the assembl of the desired combinations.

Constructing the pilaster elements so as to be detachable from the unit containers facilitates the interchange of said containers from one position, to another without imposing the necessity of commencing at one end of a row of said containers and moving all of them to provide clearance, as is now customary with regard to structures in which the pilaster is rigidly attached to the unit container. It will be observed that the present invention meets all of the foregoing requirements. For instance, a very simple form of shelving structure is provided, which iscapable of being quickly erected or dismantled at will. Being constructed of interchangeable parts which may be manufactured in quantities, it will be readily seen that the costof production may be maintained at a low figure and the parts may be readily stored until required. It will be particularly observed that the arrangement by which the shelves are supported is such that as the structure is erected it becomes stabilized and rigid, thereby rendering it unnec essary to extensively use fastening devices such as nails, screws and the like.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in detail as applicable to store shelving, it is not limited to such use. In other words, enclosed sectional units or any other well known type of merchandise display storing or supporting means may be substituted for shelving without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, wherever the terms shelving structure and merchandise storing means are employed in the specification and claims, said terms are to be understood as including open or closed shelving, enclosed or opensectional units, or any other means for supporting, storing or displa g merchandise, which means is capable o being supported by a unit container section U, equipped with shelf sustaining elements of the character hereinabove disclosed, or equivalent means.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of construction and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is 1, In a shelving structure, a unit container comprising laterally spaced skeleton end frames, and a top' member and a bottom member interposed between said frames, the end faces of the bottom member and the lower ends of each end frame havin c'omplemental port ons by which said end rames are each independently and removably supported by the bottom section and normally held against lateral movement with respect thereto, means for removably engaging the top member with the upper ends of said end frames, and shelving supported by said end frames in planes between said top and bottom members.

2. In a shelving structure, a unit container comprising. laterally spaced .skelcton end frames, and a top member and a bottom member interposed between them, means for supporting the end frames upon said bottom member, the end faces of the top member and the upper end of each end frame having complemental portions by which said end frames are each independently and removably engaged with the top member and normally held against lateral movement with respect thereto, and shelving supported by said end frames in planes between the top and bottom members.

3. In a shelving structure, a unit container comprising skeleton end frames of approximately rectangular shape, a top member and a bottom member interposed between said frames, grooved cleat members secured to the end faces of the respective top and bottom members, the upper and lower-ends of said end frames having projections shaped .to enter the grooves of said cleats, so that the whole unit container is supported by the bottom section, said end frames being otherwise disconnected.

'4. Ashelving structure comprising a unit container section consisting of a base memher, a top member, and skeleton end frames maintaining said members in spaced relation, so that merchandisestoring means may be interposed between them in spaced relation thereto said frames having upper and lower cross bars, shelf sustaining means supported on the lower cross bars of said frames, and a shelf mounted upon said sustaining means.

5. A shelving structure comprising a unit container section consisting of a base member, a top member, and skeleton end frames of approximately rectangular form maintaining said members in spaced relation, so that merchandise storing means may be interposed between them in spaced relation thereto shelf sustaining means resting on the lower cross bars of said frame, a shelf resting upon said shelf-sustaining means, additional' shelf sustaining means supported by said shelf, and a second shelf supported by the last mentioned shelf supporting means.

-6. In a shelving structure, a unit container comprising end frames of approximately rec tangular form, a top member and a bottom member interposed between said frames, the end faces of said to and bottom members and the upper and, ower ends of said end frames having separable complemental pore All - tions by. which they are normally maintained in assembled relation, the vertical portions of ter said grooves, and a shelf sustained by,

said spacing means.

7. A shelving structure comprising a unit container section consisting of a base member, a top member, and skeleton frames of approximately rectangular form maintaining said members in spaced relation, the vertical portions of said frameshavinglongitudinally disposed gr( )o\'es, uprights having longitudinal ribs complemental to said grooves, shelf sustaining cross pieces supported by said uprights, and a shelf sustained by said crosspieces.

8. A shelving structure comprising ,a unit container section consisting of a base memher, a top member, and skeleton frames of approximately rectangular form maintaining said members in spaced relation, the vertical portions of said frames having their inner edges provided with longitudinal grooves, uprights having longitudinal ribs complemental to said grooves, shelf sustaining cross pieces supported by said uprights and also having portions projecting into said grooves, and a shelf resting upon said cross pieces.

9. A shelving structure comprising a unit container formed of end frames of approxi mately rectangular form, a top member and a bottom member interposed between said frames, the end faces of said top and bottom members and the upper and lower ends of said frames having separa le complemental portions by which they are normally maintained in assembled relation, upright shelf spacers engaging the vertical portions of said end frames, shelf supporting members sustained by said upright spacers and held against lateral displacement, a shelf resting upon said supporting members, and-means for anchoring said shelf to said supporting members.

10. A shelving structure comprising a unit container consisting of a base member, a top member and skeleton end frames of approximately rectangular form maintaining said top and bottom members in spaced relation, upright members engaging the vertical portions of said end frames, said upright members and said vertical portions having complemental means preventing relative lateral displacement, metallic strips supported by said upright members and provided with offset shelf-sustaining flanges, and l shelf resting upon said flanges.

11. A shelving structure comprising a unit container section consisting of a base member, a top member, and skeleton frames of approximately rectangular form maintaining said members in spaced relation, the vertical members of said frames having longitudinally disposed grooves therein, shelf s acing members extending across and concea ing said grooves, and also having retainin portions complemental to said grooves, she f sustaining members supported by said uprights,

and shelving supported by said members.

12. A shelving structure comprising a lu-' 'rality of unit container sections arrange in alignment with the end of one section abutting the contiguous end of an adjacent section, each section being provided with end frames, shelf spacing uprights carried by the respective frames part of said uprights having complemental means to engage contiguous end frames of adjoining sections, and shelves supported by said uprights.

13. A shelving structure comprising a plurality of unit container sectionsarranged in alignment with the end of one section abut ting the contiguous end of an adjacent section, each section being provided with end frames having longitudinal grooves therein, shelf spacing uprights having ribs complemental to said grooves, some of said uprights having two parallel ribs to respectively engage the grooves of the frames of adjacent stacks, and shelves supported by said uprights.

14. In a shelving structure, a unit container section comprising end frames of approximately rectangular form, atop member and a bottom member interposed between said frames, the end faces of said top and bottom members and the upper and lower ends of said frames having separable complemental portions by which they are normally maintained in assembled relation, one side of the front vertical member of each frame having a cut-away portion, lateral studs projecting from the last mentioned end frame within the space defined by said cut-away portion, and a pilaster'having hooks positioned to removably engage said studs.

15. A shelving structure comprising a plurality of unit container sections each provided with an end frame of approximately rectangular form, said sections being arranged in alignment with an end frame of one-section abutting against the contiguous end frame of an adjoining section, one side of the front vertical member of each abutted end frame having a cut-away portion, lateral studs projecting from the other abutted end frame into the cut-away area of the other end frame, and a pilaster having hooks positioned to removably engage said studs.

16. In a shelving structure, a unit container section consisting of a top, a base, and two skeleton end frames connecting said top and said base, merchandise storing means carried by said frames, a second unit container section similar to the first section and positioned with one end adjacent to an end of said first section, the opposite faces of the end frames of adjacent sections being in abutted relation,

- adjacent sections being in abutted relation,

merchandise storing elements, a pilasterdetachably engaging one of said abutted end frames and positioned to cover the joint produced by the abutted relation of the end frames, and shelf spacer members for sustaining said merchandise supportin .ele-

ments and cooperating with said end rames to bind the sections together.

18. In a shelving structure, a unit container consisting of a top, a base and two end frames detachably connecting said top and said base so as to produce a knock-down unit,

' merchandise storing means carried by said frames, a second unit container section similar to the first section and positioned with one end frame adjacent to and in abutted relation with an end frame of the first section, one of said end frames having a pilaster' detachably connected thereto andpositioned to cover the joint produced by the abutted relation of said end frames, and means engaging the abutted-end frames independently of saidpilaster for binding said sections together.

19. In a shelving structure, a unit container consisting of a top, a base, and two end frames detachably connecting said top and said base so as to produce a knockdown unit, merchandise storing means carried by said frames, a. second unit container section similar to the first section and positioned with one end adjacent to an end of the first section, one of said sections having a pilaster detachably connected thereto and positioned to cover the joint between the sections, and shelf supporting means havingportions engaging the adjacent end frames of the unit sections to bind said sections together, said binding means having no engagement with the pilaster.

abutted end frames, and sustaining meansfor said merchandise su porting elementsalso cooperating with said frames to bind the unit containers together.

- 21. A shelving structure comprising a plurality of unit containers each consisting of a base member, a top member and skeleton end frames of approximately rectangular form maintaining said top'andbottom members in spaced relation, upright members engaging the vertical portions of adjoining end frames of adjacent unit containers, said upright members and said vertical portions having complement-a1 means preventing relative latera-l displacement of said unit containers, and

means for supporting shelves in vertically spaced relation along said end frames.

22. A shelving structure comprising a plurality of unit containers each provided with an end frame of approximately rectangular form, the vertical portions of said end frames each having a longitudinally disposed groove therein, said unit container sections being arranged in alignment with an end frame of one section abutting against the adjacent end frame of an adjoining section, an upright member havinglongitudinal ribs complemental to said grooves so as to normally prevent lateral separation of each abutted pair of end I frames,-and means for supporting shelves in vertically spaced relation along said end frames. J

23. A shelving structure comprising a plurality of unit container sections'each provided with end frames of approximately rectangular form, the vertical portions of said end frames each having a longitudinally disposed groove therein, said container sections eing arranged in alignment with an end frame of one section abutting against the adjacent end frame of an adjoining section, metal shelf supporting strips spaced vertically along said end frames, shelves resting upon said strips and held against lateral movement with respect to said metal strips, and upright members having longitudinal ribs fitting in the grooves of each pair of adjacent end frames so as to lock the abutted end' frames together. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m .hand.

y WILLIAM T. HORMES.

20. A shelving structure comprising two unit containers each consisting of a top, a

' supporting. elements carried bysaid frames,

a pilaster detachably secured to the end frame of one of said abutted end frames and positioned to cover the joint between the 

